22 Sep 2016 07:09:03
A bit of perspective is required here Blues. Unless we get beat against Bournemouth, what happened the other night can be regarded as a blip. As regards strength in depth, yes, Cleverly isn't good enough. However I may point out that our 3rd and 4th choice CMs, McCarthy and Besic, are both injured. Either of these would have been an adequate replacement for Barry. I wonder what all of you knee jerkers will be saying if we batter Bournemouth on Saturday?
22 Sep 2016 08:11:37
Without demeaning the EFL cup and certainly no disrespect meant for Norwich City . . we obviously do not have the squad capability to compete in such side shows and must regard them as 'exploratory excersises' at this time and focus on the PL!
There is no doubt in my mind that we are at the mercy of fate in terms of injuries and suspensions.
The next 'window' could prove to be pivotal in terms of this season and for RK's improvement plans.
Fingers crossed big time!
{Ed025's Note - i think your right 247..
22 Sep 2016 08:24:22
BlueTommy, I don't know whether you are including me in your knee jerkers list? All I have said is that Koeman has made some fantastic signings and we have made real progress, but you can see that the signings (Barry and McCarthy excepted) the last manager made were poor overall. As soon as Koeman made changes to a couple of key positions, we struggled to beat a Championship side. I deduced that this means the guys he was bringing in were either not good enough or there is another explanation. I think Blue247 repeated my statement word for word. that we are at the mercy of injuries or suspensions. I don't think that is being knee jerk. More a realistic statement. Even Ed025 agrees. I am not used to having people agree with me lol!
{Ed025's Note - the last person to agree with you was swan i think degsy :) ..i wonder what happened to him?..
22 Sep 2016 08:45:51
Make the most of it Degs, and I deliberately used the word 'exploratory' not ''experimental'' and deny any plagiarism accusations to the death 😠😜.
{Ed025's Note - love it 247..
22 Sep 2016 09:35:35
Some good replies. I am not necessarily singling out individuals as there are several posts below equating to what I was describing. I didn't have you in mind to be fair Degsy, I think both you and Blue 247 have good points in your replies. I think the squad is strong enough to cope with 1 or 2 injuries (except to Lukaku) but last night proved that we can't go into a cup game with 4 or 5 changes.
22 Sep 2016 11:35:15
I think your right Blue Tommy. Although the game was disappointing its one game and I wouldn't read too much into it. It's a long time until next May. Plenty of time for players to turn things around. I'd leave it for a few months yet before completely writing players off.
22 Sep 2016 11:54:02
Being more specific. we are looking to achieve higher things. That will require top players. The new keeper seems better than what we had. Williams is a top player. Gana is a top player. Bolasi is a top player. Barry and Lukaku are top players (Barry seems fitter? I don't know why) The rest of the team that Koeeman has been picking in the Premier League are either top or near top players. In my humble opinion, signings like McGeady, Kone, Alcaraz, Joel, Cleverly, Lennon and maybe someothers will never be top signings. Squad/ mid table signings at best. I feel I might be doing Lennon a dis-service including him here, but he is as inconsistent as Barkley.
22 Sep 2016 12:17:26
I think moving forward Degsy we need quite a few squad players replacing. In the Jan transfer window we desperately need a striker. I would also like to see competition for Barkley and Mirallas bought in.
22 Sep 2016 15:57:38
I am hoping we are due some success from all these kids I hear about. And another Seamus Coleman or John Stones. We seem to have a knack of finding these. Another Rooney would do. And I honestly believe that if Rooney came through our ranks now, he would probably give us a few years to get up to the top. in his time he could see there was no way. let's hope for a few miracles and good fortune. I am sure we deserve it.